RazALERT system sent wrong message during severe weather

University of Arkansas students are questioning if RazALERT, the university emergency alert system is effective after a mistake last week during severe weather. The University tested the program Tuesday.

The communication system sends an alert via email to all students and faculty during severe weather or dangerous situations on campus. Many students also receive the alert via text message or phone call.

But some say the system does not go far enough. When students like Devin Haughey are in class, they are not allowed to check their phones or email.

"In one of my classes, if we get caught with our phones we lose credit for that day," Haughey said. "And some professors don't check their phones either," he added.

Lt. Gary Crain with University police told 40/29 News communication still moves very fast even if students cannot check their phones. He said each of the buildings have land lines which receive the alert in those situations.

On Jan. 29, the National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for Washington County, but did not include the university in the affected area.RazALERT, headed by University police sent a message saying the campus was in the tornado path.

"Last week, the wrong message was sent, there was no siren blast because the wrong message was sent and it seemed like to took a long time because it was only phone," Lt. Crain said. "The SMS and the email channels were not activated."

UAPD now trains on alert system policy during every staff meeting. Crain told 40/29 News the test Tuesday reached 97-percent of all students and faculty.